Redeemed From The Earth

 14:3-5 (ESV)

3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.

Israel will be the firstfruits of those redeemed from the earth of mankind. Those in the body of Christ are the firstfruits of those saved and made holy by their faith in Christ. From His body will come the bride of Christ. 

Only Israel can sing the the song of the firstfruits of those who dwell on earth. The body of Christ are those who have become the firstfruits of those who dwell in heaven. 

Manifested In Our Bodies

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (ESV)

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

The death of Jesus allows us to die to self for Him. We trade our old life for His. A new new Spirit is manifested in our old bodies and our spirits are reborn. The fruit of this transformation will begin to appear within and without. 

The Name Of My God

Revelation 3:12 (ESV)

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

When we are baptized we take the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we have received His name for our own, unless we have taken His name in vain. 

If not, we will inherit the fullness of His name and the name of the new Jerusalem which will come down from God in heaven as the Bride of Christ. 

Christ’s Gift

Ephesians 4:7 (ESV)

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 

We receive the gift of the life of man without seeking it.  We receive the gift of the life of God by asking for it. The measure of God’s grace has no end and that is the greatest gift of all. 

Your Hand

Psalms 145:16 (ESV)

You open your hand;

you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Sometimes you don’t know what you need or want until you see it. The light of the Lord is like that. It exposes the true desire of the heart and allows us to see it is the only thing which truly satisfies. 

Jesus holds us in the palm of His hand. He is the Son of God who has reached down from heaven to lift us up. 

Naked I Came

Job 1:20-21 (ESV)

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

We come to life in the flesh of man as naked as Adam and Eve found themselves in the Garden when sin came into the world. We will leave the life of man in the same way. We are predestined for this outcome. Unless. 

Unless we enter the body of Christ and don the robes of His righteousness, trading the life of man for the life of God. If we choose this path, we are destined for eternal life in His presence. 

The Royal Priesthood

Those in the body of Christ have the highest credentials on earth because they are heavenly bestowed. We are the royal priesthood of the Lord. We have the right to add this behind our name:

The Order of the Royal Priesthood of the Lord, Saint and Son of God Almighty, Barer of the Holy Spirit, and Light of the World. 

Don’t forget who and what you are in Christ. 

The Way Of Sanctification

Seeking the Lord begins with repentance. Confessing Jesus places us in the way of sanctification in Christ. We can then ask and receive, seek and find, and knock on the door to heaven. He has made the way for us to get there, but we must follow Him to see it for ourselves. 

A Strong Delusion

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (ESV)

11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Only this can explain the madness displayed in our country and the world. The great deceiver is given free reign on earth. All this is according to the will and purpose of God. Faith will carry us through and lack of faith will winnow the chaff from the wheat. The harvest of the Lord is underway and the last day is quickly approaching. Come Jesus come!

A Manner Worthy

Ephesians 4:1 (ESV)

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

The Lord invites us to come where He is. If we go, we are called because we have accepted His invitation. Just remember to mind your manners. 

You Are Dust

Genesis 3:19 (ESV)

By the sweat of your face

you shall eat bread,

till you return to the ground,

for out of it you were taken;

for you are dust,

and to dust you shall return.”

Adam would no longer live in the presence of the Lord and eat of the bread of heaven. His life would be found in his own efforts and bound to the dust of the earth.

Jesus would bring the bread of life back to mankind and break bread with whoever was hungry. It was not bread gathered by the efforts of man, but given as a free gift from God. It enables us to leave the dust behind. 

You Shall Return

Genesis 3:19 (ESV)

By the sweat of your face

you shall eat bread,

till you return to the ground,

for out of it you were taken;

for you are dust,

and to dust you shall return.”

Adam would no longer live in the presence of the Lord and eat of the bread of heaven. His life would be found in his own efforts and bound to the dust of the earth. 

When We Confess

The beginning of creation starts with God speaking into the darkness of man. We agree with “Let there be light” when we confess Jesus, the light of the world. We in effect are agreeing to let the light come into our life and work with Him to become a new creation. 

This is God’s plan for man to be perfected as His son and a suitable companion in the Garden of the Lord here on earth. 

This Cup

 Luke 22:42 (NIV)

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

It is our Father’s will that Jesus would take our cup for His own. This allows us to drink from His cup of the blessings of heaven. He drank from the cup of our death to allow us to drink from the cup of His life. 

Jesus willingly took our cup, laying down His life for us. We willingly take His cup, laying down our life for His. This is the choosing between Christ and His bride that brings the union of heaven and earth. There is no greater love than the laying down of one’s life for another. It is love that calls and love that answers. It is love that prevails. 

Taking Him At His Word

The word of creation is spoken in creation, taking the form of man and coming face to face to speak with us. 

Some of us listen and seek to go where He is staying and see Him face to face and know that we are like Him. 

The new creation of mankind will be complete on that day. 

The Father Is Seeking Such

John 4:23 (ESV)

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

The true worshipers are those who have become alive to the life of the Father. They have entered the flesh of the body of Christ. He has called to all mankind, but He seeks such people who will hear and answer Him. 

That I May Take It Up Again

John 10:17-18 (ESV)

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Jesus left eternity to free us from sin and mortality. He overcame them in our flesh and returned to eternity with the perfected flesh of man. He invites us to do the same. 

Those who answer His call join Him in the marriage of heaven and earth. We become His bride and the temple of the new Jerusalem who will return to earth with Him as suitable companions in the rest of God. 

We Must Follow

Jesus meets us where we are. From here He will lead us where He is, but we must follow. 

Whatever He Tells You

John 2:1-5 (ESV)

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Today Jesus invites His disciples to join Him as the Bride of Christ. The wine of the new covenant has been poured out for us to drink if we choose. The hour has not yet come, but it is close. In the meantime, the same words spoken by His mother applies today. 

“Do whatever He tells you.”

The Son Rises

James 1:9-11 (ESV)

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

The distinctions of this world are irrelevant for those in the body of Christ. They disappear when we enter the unity of those joined in the Holy Spirit. 

Those in the body of Christ have put on His righteousness and are being made in His image, which includes His nature and mind. The light of the Son withers the pursuits of man to allow man to  pursue the life of God. 

Let Him Ask God

James 1:5-6 (ESV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

The wisdom of life comes from God. He gives this wisdom to all who have the wisdom to realize their lack and humble enough to ask. From wisdom comes wisdom. We have not because we ask not. 

Its Purpose

Proverbs 16:4 (ESV)

The LORD has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble.

Everything in creation exists for the purpose of the Lord. Scripture tells us that He has created mankind as the only creature who can choose between life and death, between light and darkness. To choose God is to choose life. His light is the life of man. 

The garden of the Lord is found in the heart of man. It is there we choose good and evil. It is there we can pick the fruit of the tree of life or the forbidden fruit of disobedience to the word of God. The light and darkness of creation describes the interaction between God and mankind. God enters the darkness of man with His light of life. Those who receive the light are joined with the Lord. The two become one. The Lord will rest when His work is done. 

All That Is

Revelation 22:13 (ESV)

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

The word is the beginning and end of creation. He is God. 

Perseverance

James 1:2-3 (ESV)

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Steadfastness describes the patient endurance that will allow us to overcome the world. This is the meaning of all things work for the good of those who love the Lord. If we endure in the obedience of Christ, we shall receive the blessings of heaven which is the inheritance of all those who follow Christ. Christ is the faithful witness of the Father and it is the body of Christ who continues in His word. 

The Cup

1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV 

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

We can only place our lips to one cup at a time. It is with our lips we confess our hearts. 

And Know

Psalms 46:10 ESV

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

When we look up from ourselves, beyond the life of self with its concerns and desires, we can attend to the growing wonder and knowledge of the Lord. He has allowed us to come into His presence and to be one with Him. There we will find the desire of our hearts. 

O My Soul

Psalms 103:1-5 (ESV)

Bless the LORD, O My Soul

OF DAVID.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

 It is soul satisfying to be with the Lord. To be reborn into His life means our youth is renewed because we enter the kingdom of heaven like little children, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. 

Into The Wilderness

Mark 1:12-13 (ESV)

12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

When those in the body of Christ receive the Spirit, they immediately find themselves in the wilderness of the world to be tempted by Satan. The world has not changed, but the one reborn into the life of God has changed. 

The wilderness becomes the time of testing and perseverance in our faith in the Lord. We return to the Garden of choice where Adam fell from grace. Our hope is to eat from the tree of life at the end of our journey. It is our faith in Jesus that will get us there. He has made the way and He is with us. 

Of The Holy Ones

Psalms 89:5 (ESV)

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,

your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!

Being holy is derived from the presence of the Lord, whether in heaven or on earth. 

1 Peter 1:16 (ESV)

since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

This Generation

Psalms 12:7-8 (ESV)

7 You, O LORD, will keep them;

you will guard us from this generation forever.

8 On every side the wicked prowl,

as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

The times of today must be getting similar to the days of Noah just before the flood. On every side the wicked prowl and the Devil likewise prowls about like a roaring lion. Without the Lord we would be lost, without hope. But we are not without the Lord. 

We are the generation, as is everyone who believes, who will be with the Lord prior to the great tribulation. Blessed be the Lord, for His love endures forever. 

The Perfect Union

Matthew 6:10 (ESV)

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven

I Stephen Brown, in order to enter the perfect union of God and man in the image of God, to seek and rely on His justice, to ensure the peace that comes with our reconciliation and His forgiveness, to promote and edify the Body of Christ, and secure the Blessings of heaven and the law of Liberty, do proclaim and praise His glorious name. 

Sanctify

John 17:17 (ESV)

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

We are sanctified in Jesus, for He is the word of God. 

Stay in the word. 

Multitude Without Number

Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV)

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

The Bride of Christ will be taken before the great tribulation and are numbered among the sons of God, becoming a royal priesthood who are given the authority of His name. 

These coming out of the great tribulation are without number who have received the salvation of God and the peace of reconciliation with Him. 

Who Hunger And Thirst

Matthew 5:6 ESV 

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Jesus supplies the bread of heaven and the living waters of life to all who enter the body of Christ. In doing so we put on the righteousness of Christ. The more we receive and understand, the more we desire to be filled and have our thirst satisfied. We are satisfied, yet hunger and thirst the more for His righteousness and presence.